On-the-go soil sensors and control methods for agricultural machines

Abstract

An on-the-go monitor and control means and method for an agriculture machines includes on-the-go soil sensors that can be used to control tillage and seeding depth. On seeder implements, the sensors provide information that affects uniform plant emergence.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]The present invention relates generally to agricultural machines, and more specifically, to on-the-go sensors that measure soil parameters affecting optimum planting and tillage depth. An electronic control system may automatically adjust planting or tillage depth on-the-go based on measured soil parameters.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]In crops like corn, uniform seed germination and plant emergence are critical to achieve maximum yield potential. According to The Ohio State University Extension Fact Sheet Tips to Reduce Planter Performance Effects on Corn Yield, “Uneven emergence affects crop performance because competition from larger early-emerging plants decreases the yield from smaller later-emerging plants.”“Emergence delays of 10 days or more usually translate to growth stage differences of two leaves or greater. Therefore, if two plants differ by two leaves or more, the younger, smaller plant is more likely to be barren or produce nubbins.” It...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0016]It is a further object, feature, or advantage of the present invention to improve yield by encouraging uniform seed germination and plant emergence.

[0017]It is a further object, feature, or advantage of the present invention to provide a control system for sensing soil moisture on-the-go while planting and adjust planting depth, accordingly.

[0018]A still further object, feature, or advantage of the present invention is providing a method to automatically adjust seed planting depth on-the-go in relation to soil moisture.

[0019]Yet another object, feature, o

Problems solved by technology

Healthy corn plants, on the other hand, are not very effective at recapturing yield lost by nearby stunted plants.

Historically in corn production, more attention has been put on achieving uniform spacing than uniform emergence; however, recent research shows that “uneven emergence has a greater adverse effect on yield than uneven spacing” according to Exapta article Uniform timing of emergence trumps uniform spacing for yield effect.

Therefore, delayed germination means delayed plant emergence.

The “seed firmer” tool can improve seed germination by improving seed to soil contact in loose soil, but it can lose its effectiveness when soil voids caused by clods at the bottom of seed trench occur.

Uneven soil moisture throughout the seed zone is a primary cause of uneven germination and emergence, the results of which can be yield loss.

Calculating the overall soil moisture level of a field prior to planting is difficult, as soil moisture varies throughout the field and depends on several factors such as topography, weather conditions, tillage patterns, soil profile, and uneven seed

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